Need tips from the more experienced!

[FourFlans]

We're heading to WDW in a few weeks, our first trip, with DDS 8 and 5. I want to make sure they have ID of some sort in case they misplace us. Anyone have suggestions for the best way to tag them with appropriate information just in case?

I asked on another Board and got no suggestions but I know there are some other moms out there who have done this..........

 

[Rella Bella]

At Disney when we enter the park we pick a place to meet if we get separated. Of course if your kids are too young, or unfamiliar with the park this won't help much.

We have our son wear a fanny pack. We get him his own room key card (they have special 'childs' room cards that don't have the extra info the adult cards have). If he got lost, Disney could scan it and know which resort we were staying at and our room #. We also put a note in with our cell #'s... of course now he knows them by heart... but he didn't when we went the first time.

I've also heard of mom's who put the info in thier child's shoe, or hang something around thier neck.

 

[malibuconlee]

I've heard the suggestion of getting those engraveable dog tags they sell at retail stores and engraving their/your name and cell phone number on them.

Then attaching to their shoes.

Also show them a CM the first day you're there and let them know it's OK to talk to them and if for any reason you get separated to find a CM who will make sure you are reunited.

 

[ellyn2000]

I like Rella Bella's idea about the "childs room keys". With just that information they could contact your resort and have all the information they need. I have also always told my children not to go looking for me, but to stand still and let me come to them so that we're not going in two different directions. If they got scared or it seemed like a long time then they could find a CM to help. Make sure they know what a CM looks like or advise them to go into a shop, etc... to ask for help.

 

[Bama mom to 3]

Whatever you do make sure its something waterproof. Otherwise it won't be readable after a day sweating or a rain shower, etc.

 

[fabumouse]

I got my dd4 an ID bracelet - with just her name, and my cell and home phone number. She knows to go to someone with a name tag, and I've repeated over and over - Don't Panic!!

You can get the bracelet just about anywhere. I used "Love Tags Company"
and you can find them on line.

 

[blessedby3]

I have read on one of these threads that people have gotten the very cheap rubber bracelets that are out everywhere and have written the information on the inside of the bracelet with a permanent marker. Info. like parents names and cell numbers. I think I am going to go this route because it is so inexpensive. If it will stay on DDs wrist. I guess I could also put it on her ankle. She is going to be turning 7 there, but is small for her age.

 

[KeepSwimming]

I still think Whose Shoes ID's are the best invention ever. I put these around all of my kid shoes everytime we go to WDW. THANK GOD we haven't lost one yet, but it's a huge peace of mind!!

You can see them here: www.whosshoesid.com

 

[jmminarik]

I've found from personal experience as a child with lost parental units that standing in one place and crying gets you the attention of other parental units around you who will find the CM's for you if a CM isn't in the immediate area. Of course, this was back in the day when a mobile phone was one that had a long cord, EPCOT was an acronym and only had 1/4 of a big golf ball, and only really rich people could afford to stay at one of the 3 available onsite hotels. It might be a little different today.

-Joe

 

[Disneylvr729]

Hey all.... I can definately help with this one!!! Been there done that and a CM to boot.... This is a little long.... (sorry comes to kids I go on forever!)

Identification for kids..
--Before becoming a CM, I did the dog tag thing (from Walmart/petsmart/etc) with both my name and DH name and Cel numbers. I put it on a cheap ball chain (like the ones that they use for real dogtags) and presented it to my DSD as a gift so Mickey would know who I was incase I wondered off. They never wanted to take it off. Which worked out great.
--Now you can do the same thing with the key cards.... Espacially when the childs name is on the front of the cards now. Ask the FDCM to punch a hole in it and you can put it on a chain.. (Word of advice about this...It can hurt sometimes the keys are not cut very smoothly- to fix this nail file the sides a little)

CM's.....
When we got to FWCG, I showed everyone a CM's name tag. The way it looked and the colors of them. (reason being is that WDW sells name tages with MM/MM/DD/Stitch etc) This way if they saw a name tag they would know if it was a CM or not. That year the CM's tag showed which character was thier favorite. (A great conversation piece back then)
***If you haven't been lately our tags are white with all 5 locations printed on them and a castle in the middle***

Clothing....
Also Make sure that you remember what clothes you put on your child for the day. The one day my DD walked away to see Snow White (something magical on its own) I FLIPPED! Couldn't find Her at all. When I started to yell for her and DH went to see a CM... That was the first question they ask. WHAT DOES SHE LOOK LIKE AND WHAT WAS SHE WEARING. The next thing I knew there were 15 CM's (no lie) helping to find DD. If you have multiple kids, try to put them in the same clothes or at least in the same colors.. When you are flipping your mind sometimes go blank. (seen plenty of parents do that)

The only thing with the hipsack is that some kids don't like to wear them all the time espacially in the heat and humidity of FLA. As far as putting the name on the new "bracelets" it still rubs off. Espacially in our heat and humidity. (tried that already just putting names on bracelets to let my kids know who's was who's. )

One last thing..... A Crying child always gets attention by CM's and they will look around to see if anyone needs help. Tell them NOT to be afraid of a CM. We are here to help!!!!

Hope this helps any parent out there..... When I saw the response with my DD--- I decided to come back home. (I am originally from Orlando, but was located in Miami at the time)

 

[fabumouse]

Thank you Dsnylvr729!!!!
We have four adults with one child going to WDW in 2 days and it's easy for all of us to assume that there is No Way we will lose track of my DD4. But I've seen her (or rather, not seen her) disappear within seconds in a grocery store. I just put her photo in my dayplanner and e-mailed the crew to make sure we have a daily photo. Even without stress, I often forget how she is dressed, so why even take that chance. Her ID bracelet is metal, and I've seriously stressed that it needs to stay on her body, and why. I'm hoping I have my bases covered.??

 

[Disneylvr729]

Most likely you do.... If you are taking a digital camera with you.. best bet.. take a pic of your DD before you start the day... Like eating breakfast or something like that... If you don't want to keep the pic, you can always delete it!

 

[fabumouse]

Dsnylvr729 Great - I'm feeling a bit of relief right now (check off that box) I'll just make sure we photo her while walking out the door.
And wanted to tell you also that I love your statement under your signature. I organized this trip with grandparents, us and child, is precisely because we just never know where we'll be next year.
What better place than WDW for the old and young to connect?